← Compliance
eIDAS

eIDAS Regulation — Electronic Signatures and Trust Services in the EU

Complete guide to eIDAS — electronic identification, qualified electronic signatures, seals, timestamps, and trust services across the EU.

What is eIDAS?

The eIDAS Regulation (EU) No 910/2014 establishes a comprehensive legal framework for electronic identification (eID) and trust services for electronic transactions in the internal market. It ensures that electronic signatures, seals, timestamps, and registered delivery services have legal effect across all EU Member States. Electronic signatures created with qualified certificates have the legal equivalent of handwritten signatures. The regulation is being amended by eIDAS 2.0 (EU 2024/1183), which introduces the European Digital Identity Wallet.

Who It Applies To

Trust service providers offering electronic signatures, seals, timestamps, e-delivery, and certificates in the EU. EU Member States regarding mutual recognition of notified eID schemes. Public sector bodies that must accept notified eID from other Member States. Any business relying on electronic signatures or trust services for cross-border transactions.

Key Articles & Obligations

Article 3

Article 6

Article 8

Article 19

Article 24

Article 25

Article 28

Article 35

Article 41

Article 44

Key Deadlines

Applied since

1 Jul 2016

eIDAS became applicable across all EU Member States.

eIDAS 2.0 wallets

1 Jan 2026

Member States must make EUDI Wallets available to citizens and residents.

Fines & Enforcement

Determined by individual Member States. Trust service providers face supervision and potential withdrawal of qualified status. Non-qualified signatures still have legal effect but do not benefit from the presumption of equivalence to handwritten signatures.

Electronic Signature Levels

eIDAS defines three distinct levels of electronic signatures, each with different legal effects.

  • Electronic Signature — data in electronic form attached to or logically associated with other electronic data, used by the signatory to sign (basic level, no specific requirements)
  • Advanced Electronic Signature — uniquely linked to the signatory, capable of identifying the signatory, created using means under the signatory's sole control, and linked to the data so that any subsequent change is detectable
  • Qualified Electronic Signature — an advanced electronic signature created by a qualified signature creation device and based on a qualified certificate. Has the equivalent legal effect of a handwritten signature across all EU Member States

Trust Services Under eIDAS

eIDAS covers a range of trust services that must meet specific requirements to be qualified.

  • Electronic signatures — signing documents electronically with legal effect
  • Electronic seals — equivalent to electronic signatures but for legal entities (companies)
  • Electronic time stamps — binding data to a specific time with legal effect
  • Electronic registered delivery — proof of sending and receiving data between parties
  • Website authentication certificates — SSL/TLS certificates for authenticating websites
  • Electronic attestation of attributes — introduced by eIDAS 2.0 for verified claims about individuals or entities

How Law4Devs Helps with eIDAS Compliance

Law4Devs provides the full eIDAS Regulation as structured JSON from EUR-Lex. Filter by trust service type, obligation category, or assurance level. Cross-reference with eIDAS 2.0 and GDPR.

Related Regulations

eIDAS 2.0GDPRCSA

Query eIDAS via API

GET /v1/frameworks/eidas/articles
→ 200 OK · structured JSON · official EUR-Lex source
Get API Key →Technical Reference →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the eIDAS Regulation?

The eIDAS Regulation (EU) No 910/2014 on electronic identification and trust services for electronic transactions in the internal market establishes a comprehensive legal framework for electronic identification (eID) and trust services. It ensures that electronic signatures, seals, timestamps, and registered delivery services have legal effect across all EU Member States, enabling secure cross-border digital transactions between citizens, businesses, and public administrations.

Who does eIDAS apply to?

eIDAS applies to trust service providers (TSPs) offering electronic signatures, seals, timestamps, e-delivery, and website authentication certificates in the EU. It also applies to EU Member States regarding mutual recognition of notified eID schemes. Public sector bodies must accept notified eID means from other Member States. Any business relying on electronic signatures or trust services for cross-border transactions is affected.

What are the key obligations under eIDAS?

Qualified trust service providers must meet stringent requirements including regular audits, use of qualified devices, and compliance with EU technical standards (ETSI). They must notify their supervisory body, maintain insurance coverage, and use trustworthy systems. Electronic signatures created with qualified certificates have the legal equivalent of handwritten signatures. Member States must recognize notified eID schemes at assurance levels substantial and high.

How does Law4Devs help with eIDAS?

Law4Devs provides the full eIDAS Regulation text as structured, queryable JSON via API. Filter articles by trust service type (signatures, seals, timestamps), obligation category, or assurance level. Access specific requirements for qualified trust service providers, conformity assessment rules, and supervisory obligations. Ideal for building compliance dashboards or integrating regulatory text into legal-tech applications.

Access eIDAS as Structured JSON

All articles, recitals, and amendments — queryable, filterable, and always up to date.

Get API Key →View Demo